
It's Official! Tokyo's Cherry Blossom Season Began Today (March 24)
- Written by: LIVE JAPAN Editor
According to reports by NHK News, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced on March 24 that cherry blossoms have officially begun to bloom in Tokyo.
According to the official guidelines issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency, the bloom is considered to have started when five or six blossoms open. During today’s observation, NHK reported that six blossoms were confirmed, marking the season’s official start.
This year’s bloom comes right on schedule, matching the average year, and is five days earlier than in 2024.
Rain on its way to Tokyo this week
Do keep in mind that rain is in the forecast for Tokyo from this Friday through next week, which could impact blossom hunting plans. If you're hoping to catch the sakura at their peak, be sure to keep an eye on the weather and plan accordingly.
Cherry blossom season starting in other areas
Tokyo isn’t the only place welcoming cherry blossoms this week. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, several cities in Kyushu and Shikoku have also announced their blooms recently:
・Kumamoto saw its first blossoms a day earlier than usual, on March 23
・Kochi, on the southern coast of Shikoku, also reported blooming on March 23
・Nagasaki and Kagoshima both reported blooming on March 24
Looking ahead, popular hanami spots like Osaka and Kyoto typically see their cherry blossoms bloom around March 27 and March 26, respectively—so travelers can expect the Kansai region to burst into color very soon.
Tokyo’s cherry blossoms are expected to reach full bloom in about one week to ten days—so get your cameras ready! And chase the bloom together with us: we'll be providing regular updates on the bloom conditions.
The LIVE JAPAN editorial team is a multinational group made up of native editors who have lived in Japan for over five years and Japanese editors who love to travel. Together, we share the best of Japan, offering cultural insights, historical context, event updates, and travel-friendly deals, to support your journey every step of the way.
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